Independent Candidate urges NPP, NDC to restrain supporters

Accra, Nov 16, GNA - Mr Emmanuel B. Boyefio, Independent Candidate for Nungua Krowor, has called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to educate their supporters to be tolerant.

"The leadership of all political parties especially NDC and NPP must intensify the education of their followers on political tolerance to avert acts of lawlessness before, during and after the December 7 2004 general election," Mr Boyefio stated in Accra.

Mr Boyefio, who was launching his manifesto dubbed: "The Star Eeshiny" meaning the Star is shinning in the Ga language at Nungua condemned intimidation, antagonism, personal attacks and other undemocratic tendencies leading to clashes between the supporters of the two main parties in some parts of the country.

The success of previous elections, which won the nation great international respect had to be maintained, he told his teaming supporters after a two-hour float through some of the principal streets of the Constituency on Sunday.

"I am the unifying candidate to defuse the political acrimony between the political parties; restore unity within the Constituency and harness human and natural resources for accelerated development," he told the crowd.

Mr Boyefio said: "As a non-politically affiliated candidate, I will fight against exclusionist politics; lead the crusade for equitable distribution of national resources and champion the cause of women and the vulnerable."

He called on the electorate to vote for candidates with the capability to perform and not on partisan affiliation. "Parliamentary elections should be based on the needs of the community and who best can fulfil his or her promises." He expressed concern about corruption in Ghanaian electioneering process, saying, it could threaten the survival of the nation's democracy.

With bribery and monetary inducement of the electorate the political judgement of the people was being blurred, the Candidate noted.

"Our electioneering campaigns have been fraught with the display of monetary power - dishing out of monies and other materials to influence the electorate. The result is that the electorate will not assess what the candidates can do for the constituency and the nation but by how much money they can pocket during the campaign process." Mr Boyefio urged the electorate to expose and reject politicians and people, who attempted to buy their votes.